Unfortunately we have no statistics on the percentage of recycled timber used in new construction. There are one or two technical difficulties. For example, recycled timber often contains contaminants such as nails, grit and so on which can damage equipment, it is not graded to current standards, and obtaining large volumes of the same size members is not easy. Nevertheless, companies that recycle timber do a brisk trade and it is particularly useful in restoration work. You may wish to contact recycling yards to see if they can advise you on their main markets.
Please see attached photos I am writing a report after a burst pipe flooded this home for 1-2 months duration. They want to know if there is permanent damage or issues with rectifying in part only ? I am seeking a second opinion on the following too in particular: -what sort of timber are the floor joists, wall framing - at a best guess? -does the mould look like it was pre-existing? or caused by the flood? -would the timber joists likely need to be removed if the hardwood flooring is replaced? -does the wall framing appear to need replacement? -is there any worrying signs of decay you can see from the photos? -do you guys offer inspection and site visits?
In answer to your questions (1) the wall framing is pine and the floor joists also appear to be pine, although less clear in the photos; (2) it's not possible to tell if any of the mould was pre-existing, but in our opinion there is a high probability it appeared while the timber was damp for 1-2 months; (3) surface mould does not necessarily indicate decay or any loss of strength in the timber, but our Technical Design Guide #12 titled Impact and Assessment of Moisture-affected, Timber-framed Construction provides guidance on assessing moisture-affected timber on site. A copy can be downloaded free of charge from our website via this link https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/publications, or a hard copy can be purchased here https://www.intertekinform.com/en-au/search/standard/?searchTerm=WS12&productFamily=STANDARD&q=WS12. TimberSolutions does not provide an inspection service but our Guide should enable you to make an informed judgement as to whether any timber needs replacement. A couple of your photos show moisture meter readings in the range 14-15% which indicates that the timber is now out of danger. Decay hazard generally arises when moisture content is 20% or more.
I have a class 9b project in NSW with solid blackbutt ship lap cladding, battens & decorative fins. The PCA is requesting CodeMark for the timber. I have spoken with our preferred supplier who can't provide. Is CodeMark for natural solid timber available or even possible?
NCC vol 1 Clause F3D5 only allows the following external wall materials as Deemed-to-Satisfy:
(a) Masonry, including masonry veneer, unreinforced and reinforced masonry: AS 3700.
(b) Autoclaved aerated concrete: AS 5146.3.
(c) Metal wall cladding: AS 1562.1.
So currently you must do a Performance Solution for timber cladding. In our opinion a reasonable building surveyor/certifier would accept that the DTS timber cladding solutions described in the ABCB Housing Provisions, Part 7.5 Timber and composite wall cladding, are also suitable for buildings described in NCC vol. 1, up to 2-storeys. The wind is the same, the rain is the same, weatherproofing the same, condensation the same in the same location/climate zone. We suggest this could form the basis of a Performance Solution.
We are not aware of any natural timber cladding that has been assessed under the CodeMark scheme, which we understand is primarily for new and innovative products, rather than long established 'generic' products such as timber cladding. A CodeMark certificate would presumably make a Performance Solution unnecessary, but it is not clear who would fund the assessment process, whether achieving CodeMark approval for one species of timber would apply to all species of timber, and other factors.
